Departments

Police

Mission Statement

To provide the community with an alternative manner of solving community based problems by encouraging the interaction and cooperation of the Police Department and citizens.

"By working together, we will strive to recognize, identify, and solve problems, thereby by improving the 'quality of life' for our community"

Leadership

Barry Stanley - Police ChiefChief Stanley has 20 years of law enforcement experience. The most recent six years were served as the Police Chief of Bethel, North Carolina. Chief Stanley has eastern North Carolina roots and is an Ayden resident. He is married to his wife, Donnette, and they have a son named Eli. Chief Stanley enjoys golf and spending time with his family in his spare time.

Richard S. Patterson - Police CaptainAdministrative and Investigative DivisionCaptain Richard S. Patterson is an eighteen-year veteran of the Ayden Police Department. He started his law enforcement career in 1992 at the Ayden Police Department. Prior to Patterson's law enforcement career, he served in the U.S. Army in the 82nd Airborne Division, specifically, B Company 82nd Signal Battalion, and is a veteran of Desert Storm/Shield. Captain Patterson is married with two children. He is currently pursuing a business Degree at NC Central University. Captain Patterson is also a Prince Hall Mason, Grand Inspector General and Shriner.

Chris Forehand - Police LieutenantPatrol Division and Traffic EnforcementLieutenant Forehand has been with the Ayden Police Department for 16 years. He is originally from Edenton, NC, and moved to Pitt County in 1989 where he attended college at Pitt Community College and earned his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. He started his law enforcement career in Ayden as a Reserve Officer, and part-time dispatcher, and has moved up the ranks to Lieutenant. He enjoys playing golf, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family in his time off.

Community Policing

The Ayden Community Policing Program is designed to work with citizens, property owners, and business owners to create a safe community and environment to live, work, and play. The Ayden Community Policing Council was formed twelve ago and is still very much active. The Council meets the third Tuesday of each month at the Ayden Community Building, 548 Second Street, at 7:00pm. All citizens and business owners are welcome to attend and work with the Ayden Police Officers to identify opportunities for a safer community. For more information about the Ayden Community Policing Council, please call...

K-9 Unit

In 2012, the Ayden Police Department formed a K-9 Unit with two canines. Both canines are certified through the American Police Canine Association. Both canines are German Shepherds, are 15 mos. in age and are certified in all aspects of canine patrol duties (drugs, handler protection, tracking, and apprehension).

The canines are supervised by trained handlers of the Ayden Police Department, Officer Chad Rown and Officer Todd Johnson.

Programs

The following are programs that the Ayden Police Department offers to the community and have been a successful component to providing a safe environment for all of Ayden.

Shop with a Cop

Elderly Watch Program

Citizen's Police Academy

National Night Out

Safe Night Out

Community Presence

The Ayden Police Department works with the citizens to recognize and reduce crime as well as improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods in which they live. The Ayden Police Department was presented with the Governor's Award for Excellence in Community Oriented Policing and has won the OASIS award for excellence in school related programs.

Telecommunications

The Town of Ayden maintains their own communications center. Around the clock dispatchers are able to take police calls, dispatch officers, and they also take emergency electrical phone calls.

Animal Control

The Ayden Police Department has one part-time animal control officer, who patrols the streets of Ayden, looking for stray, injured, and at large animals. The animal control officer also operates a shelter for the animals, which is located at the Town of Ayden Operations Center.